Search and rescue operations continue for the third day following the disappearance of two American soldiers in southern Morocco. A senior U.S. defense official told Hespress EN that the disappearances appears to be accidental and are not linked to terrorism.
The two U.S. Army soldiers were reported missing on May 2 after taking part in activities related to African Lion 2026, according to a defense official familiar with the matter.
“This incident is not related to terrorism but appears to be an accident,” the official said, adding that the operation remains focused on locating the missing personnel.
The soldiers were last seen near ocean cliffs in the vicinity of Cap Draa, close to the coastal city of Tan-Tan. When they failed to return as expected, U.S. and Moroccan forces immediately launched a coordinated search effort.
Initial assessments suggest the two soldiers may have fallen into the Atlantic Ocean, prompting an extensive deployment of air, land and sea assets.
The search operation involves units from the United States Africa Command, alongside Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and other international participants in the exercise.
Aerial support includes Moroccan SA-330 Puma and AS332 Super Puma helicopters, as well as a U.S. CH-47 Chinook. Both Moroccan and American unmanned aerial systems have been deployed to expand surveillance over the rugged coastal terrain.
At sea, a Moroccan Navy frigate and a U.S. logistics support vessel are assisting in combing the waters off Cap Draa, while specialized Moroccan diver and mountaineer teams are working to access difficult cliffside areas.
Ground search teams have also been mobilized to widen the operation’s scope across the surrounding area.
Among the U.S. units involved in the search are elements of the 19th Special Forces Group, the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron, the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, working alongside multiple Moroccan military units.
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